February 6, 2020
Welcome to this week's edition of TCFinTouch
The e-newsletter of Trail Christian Fellowship

As followers of Jesus, we meet throughout the week for worship, prayer, Communion, Bible study and fellowship. Our overall mission can be summed up as:
Coming Up
Sunday, February 9
Come worship with us this Sunday at 10am. 
Pastor Travis Connick will be teaching. Children's
and Youth ministries meet at the same time
in their respective locations.
Wednesday, February 12
Join Pastor Travis Connick in the Fireside Room next Wednesday evening as we continue our study through Galatians. Service begins with worship at 6:30pm. Children's ministries are at the same time. 
Youth Programs
Our Sunday morning service has programs for
children and youth through 12th grade.

AWANA is for kids age 3 through 6th grade.
We meet in the Youth Center on Wednesday nights from 6:15-8pm

Nursery and Children's Program for 0-2 years old.
Middle School and High School students meet in their respective locations.

Debbie Conley (Nursery-grade 5): 541.878.3501
Nate Bailey (High School): 541.951.6952
Recent Teachings
Missed a message, or just want to hear it again? Visit the sermon audio archive and catch up on our studies, with the most recent sermons at the top.
From Our Pastors
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:42-47

Much is written these days about Christians being the church, and rightly so, because the temptation in every age is to focus on the church organizationally rather than simply being the Church relationally. So, let me offer three pieces of advice on being the Church—the people of God who have been grafted into the life and mission of Christ.

1) Be an alive and growing member, not an apathetic one . Be a person who is alive and growing in your devotion to the Lord and to one-another. Peter tells us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). There should be an increasing desire in each of us to grow into Christ-likeness by taking in and being shaped by His Word. However, spiritual growth doesn’t happen in isolation. Spiritual growth happens by knowing and being known by other believers (Prov. 27:17).

Consider the life of Jesus. Jesus had a group of twelve strong friends and within that group, an inner circle of three. Jesus spends the bulk of his time with the twelve and then some intense, hard, heart-level, praying drops of blood with three. He goes up on the Mount of Transfiguration not with twelve, but with three. He’s in the Garden, pleading with the Father, facing his own death, not with 500 Facebook friends, not with twelve friends, but with the three—Peter, James and John.

One of the path’s to spiritual growth in Christ is to have a small group of Christ-filled friends who you can have intense, heart-level, life changing conversations with. People who you trust and who you give permission to call you out on sinfulness, who can call you out on your idolatry. Who at the same time, can affirm the presence of Christ within you, and who can encourage you and help you navigate difficult seasons, and who, when you’re facing hardship, will face it with you.

In calling us to Himself, Christ has joined us together and we need to pursue relationships that will help us be fully known—where our past, our present, our hopes and fears are known, so that we can encourage and help each other grow in Christ. Pursue these types of relationships, so that you can be an alive and growing member, not an apathetic one.

2) Be a contributing member, not a consumeristic one.  It’s very easy in our day to simply see the church as a convenient location where I can have my spiritual needs satisfied. Church becomes the place where I go to get my God fix for the week. A place where I can get some encouragement from my favorite preacher. Somewhere I can attend to enjoy the worship music I find uplifting. A place where I can meet my Christian friends.

Do you see what those expressions reveal? That mindset reduces the Church simply to a religious provider and you’re the consumer. It reduces the Church to religious goods and not a family to which you belong and contribute. Let me encourage you, if this is your home church, to be a contributing member. For TCF to flourish and continue making an impact in the Rogue Valley, we need each person to contribute by using the gifts and resources the Lord has given them. The truth is, there are all sorts of ways to contribute to the work of Christ here at TCF and become more than a consumer.

3) Be rooted in your community, not removed from it. In the last line Luke tells us that the early church “had favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” This indicates that these people didn’t remove themselves from their community, but they rooted themselves in their community and in relationships where they worked and socialized. The Lord used this and brought more and more people to Christ.

The more we root ourselves in our communities and in the relationships the Lord brings our way, the more likely it’ll be that we’ll continue to gain favor and the Lord will add to our number.

You know, being the church doesn’t need to be complex. We keep our eyes fixed to the Lord and continue to grow in Him; we look to contribute in tangible ways to our church community and we stay engaged, for the sake of Christ, in the communities and relationships the Lord has placed us in. 

See you Sunday,
Travis
Update
Please join us in welcoming Rob Milton to the TCF Pastoral Staff!

Rob will be serving as TCF's Youth Pastor. Starting in February he will work part-time teaching on Sundays, then in mid-June he will come on board full-time.

Rob has a long history with TCF and over 15 years of experience serving the youth of the Upper Rogue through Youth71:5. This is a direct answer to prayer, and we thank the Lord for bringing Rob, Faith, Gabriel and Nathaniel to TCF. 
Upcoming
Vertical Marriage
Thursday, February 6

Practically work towards a vibrant marriage built on a foundation of active faith. Sessions consist of a video, discussion and workbook. Held Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm at the Wewerka home. Cost is $20 per couple. Child care available.

Please call Ben and Theresa Wewerka for details and location: 541.826.7489
Baptism
Sunday, February 9 at 12pm

Trail Christian Fellowship hosts several Baptisms each year. The next one is this Sunday, February 9th. If you are ready to take this important step of faith, please listen to “The Obedience of Faith: Baptism", or pick up an audio CD from the Willingheart window in the foyer following any Sunday service. After a brief conversation with a TCF Pastor, you may register.
 
To speak with a Pastor, call the Church Office at 541.878.3501
Galatians: Paul's Manifesto
Wednesday, February 12

Join Pastor Travis on Wednesday evenings for a series through the book of Galatians.
6:30-8pm in the Fireside Room.
TCF's 40th Birthday Celebration
Sunday, February 23 at 6:30 in the Worship Center

You're invited to a birthday party! TCF is turning 40 and we're celebrating with food and fellowship as we reflect on God's faithfulness through stories from lives touched by His work through 40 years of Trail Christian Fellowship history.

There is no charge, but please register.
Child care up to 5 years old with advanced registration.
Night of Illusion
Friday, February 28 form 6:30-8pm

Illusionists David and Teesha Laflin are coming to Central Medford High School (815 S. Oakdale). This event is recommended for children 4 years of age and older. No charge but donations will be accepted. Check out davidandteesha.com.

Debbie Conley: 541.261.2605
NextGen Conference
Saturday, February 29 from 9am-2pm
Westminster Presbyterian in Medford

Rogue Valley Children's Ministry Network Annual Conference. Featuring speaker/Illusionist David Laflin. A sack lunch provided for registered guests. CEU's available. No child care. Cost is $25. Register at rvcmn.org

See flyer for details.

Debbie Conley: 541.261.2605
Great Commission Festival Dinner
February 29, 4-8:30pm

Hear how God is expanding His Kingdom in various parts of the world.

Doors open at 4pm for time time to visit with TCF Partners.
Dinner is from 5-6pm followed by at time to hear from our Partners.
 Registration for dinner is open until Thursday, February 27 or when all spaces are full. This registration includes the option of child care with dinner through 5th grade. Registration for the rest of the evening is open until February 29. No charge.

outreach@trail.org or 541.878.3501
Evening Worship
Sunday, March 1

One hour of worship and Communion at 6:30pm in the Fireside Room. Child care available.
Global Outreach Prayer
Monday, March 2 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Meet to pray for TCF supported partners and outreaches. Adult Classroom. All are welcome. No child care.
Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway at Sunriver
March 6-8

This getaway is a fabulous weekend at beautiful Sunriver resort. It'll provide encouragement, hope and practical tools to help build and grow your marriage. $100 discount if you use group name: TCFMarriageMinistry. Hotel cost is separate.

Register at weekendtoremember.com

Ben and Theresa Wewerka: 541.826.7489
God Has Spoken: The Scriptures as the Word of God
Saturdays, March 7, 14 and 21
9am-12pm

Join Pastors Rick and Travis for this three part series on the nature of Scripture. How to read it and how to teach it. Class will be in the Fireside Room. Open to anyone, but space is limited. No charge, no child care. You must register and commit to attending all 3 classes. Coffee and snacks provided before class. Please bring your Bibles!

Church Office: 541.878.3501
Class details: Pastor Travis/travis@ trail.org
Registration help: Jacki/jacki@trail.org
Green Bag Day

The Green Bag Drive collected about 1,025 lbs. of food with donations from TCF in 2019. Thank you to everyone for helping us to provide food to local families.

Pastor Kellen: 541.878.3501 or outreach@trail.org
Men's Ministry
Women's Ministry
Women’s Bible Study
 
For our Spring study, Janis Rubus will teach through the Gospel of John chapters 13-21. We will meet Friday mornings February 7 - March 27 from 9-11:30am in the Fireside Room. Cost is $10. If you’re paying with cash or check, please still register.
Child care available for nursery – 6th grade.
 
Church Office: 541.878.3501
Mom's Group
Tuesday, February 11

Moms and moms-to-be are invited to connect with other moms and children that are in the same phase of young family life. Join us on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the school year,*
9-11am in the Youth Center Great Room. We share a brunch breakfast, teaching, and great fellowship. Children are welcome to participate, and childcare is available. Pick up a calendar in the Nursing Mom's Room.
 
Contact Cyndi Harrington for more information: 541.826.9415 or  cyndi@trail.org
 
 *During the summer months, the Mom's group still meets at private homes.
Single Ladies' Dinner
Monday, February 24

The Single Ladies monthly dinner is a great time to come together with our sisters in Christ and share a home cooked meal. It's a wonderful time sharing food, fun and fellowship. Held in the Fireside Room from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. No sign-up, just show up! All ladies are welcome.
Church Office: 541.878.3501
Children's Ministry
AWANA

AWANA (Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) is a global, nonprofit ministry committed to the belief that the greatest impact for Christ starts with kids who know, love, and serve Him. AWANA is for kids age 3 through 6th grade. Register in the Sunday School foyer Sunday through Thursday, or click the link below to download documents to fill out and bring in to the Children's Ministry Office. Let us help your kids and grand-kids hide God's Word in their hearts, Wednesdays at 6:15pm. 

Debbie at 541.261.2605 or debbie@trail.org
Prayer Warriors by Email
If you would like to be a regular part of praying for the Children's Ministry and receive an email prayer letter periodically to keep up with what God is doing with the next generation, email debbie@trail.org to get on the list. This will be a blind copy email and your email address will not be shared with others.
Debbie Conley: 541.878.3501
Trail Life USA

Trail Life USA is a Christ-centered outdoor character development adventure program for boys and young men ages 5-17. TCF’s Trail Life troop meets every other Thursday from 6:30-8pm during the school year. For more information about the Trail Life USA organization, click  HERE .
 
  • For TCF’s Troop Information, and to confirm meeting times, contact Matthew Paradela: 541.625.0359

Our next meeting is Thursday, February 6 from 6:30-8pm at TCF.
American Heritage Girls

American Heritage Girls is a faith-based character building program for girls ages 5-18. Girls learn leadership and team building skills while growing spiritually. TCF’s AHG troop meets every other Thursday from 6:30-8pm during the school year.
 
  • For Trail Christian Fellowship Troop information and to confirm meeting times, please call Karrie Hovis at 541.951.3135 or email ahgroguevalley@yahoo.com 
  • For more details about the American Heritage Girls organization, click HERE.

Our next meeting is Thursday, February 6 from 6:30-8pm at TCF.
Celebrate Recovery
 Celebrate Recovery

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered 12-Step program that helps participants live fuller lives by breaking the chains of addiction. Join us at 6pm every Tuesday for dinner and fellowship, followed by the meeting at 6:30. Celebrate Recovery is for any and all who struggle with addiction, abuse, hurts, habits, or hangups.
 
If you have questions or need child care, call Paige Winfrey 541.878.3501 or send an email to  celebraterecovery@trail.org . You can also keep up with Celebrate Recovery on our  Facebook  page.

Area Events
Eagle Point Access Food Pantry

Reminder for those who volunteer at St. John's Church:
Monday, February 10  is TCF’s turn. Thank you for helping!
Pastor Kelly: 541.878.3501 or kelly@trail.org
pacific bible logo

Pacific Bible College is looking for a Spanish teacher.
541.776.9942
Redemption Ridge is looking for Care Specialists to work directly with the girls at Grace House. This is an amazing opportunity to affect the lives of hurting teenage girls. The job is located in the upper Rogue area. For more information please call Redemption Ridge 541.816.4415 or email kirsten@redemptionridge.org .
If you've been hunting for small group fellowship and Bible study, check our website. There's no better opportunity to reach out and connect with brothers and sisters. Pastor Travis: 541.878.3501 or travis@trail.org
Thank you for visiting TCFinTouch 
the weekly e-newsletter of
Trail Christian Fellowship
18881 Hwy 62
Eagle Point OR 97524
Church Office Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
[ 541.878.3501 ] [information@trail.org] [ www.trail.org  ]